Recognising all kinds of families

Policy that recognises the wide range of relationships & family structures

A new policy that recognises the wide range of relationships and family structures in contemporary Australia went live on 1 July.

The new policy aligns the process for recognising members in married, state/territory-registered and de-facto relationships. It also recognises foster children under long-term or permanent care orders.

The policy replaces DI(G) PERS 53-1 Recognition of Interdependent Partnerships, and offers a less prescriptive and more accessible process.

Couples in marriages or state or territory registered relationships can apply to have their relationship recognised by completing the form and providing their marriage or registration certificate. Those in de facto relationships can apply to have their relationship recognised by completing a new form and supplying a minimum of one piece of supporting evidence, such as a rental agreement or utility bill.

Couples in all three relationship types will still need to demonstrate that they normally live together in the posting location before they can access Defence benefits, such as housing or removals, associated with MWD and MWD(U) categorisation. This is a separate step.